Reflections

As the Jewish People descend from before the throne of Hashem, I reflected upon wht Rabbi Geisinsky said just a few hours before- that Zlata was still alive- that she would never die. And only now, as I mourn her loss, as the tears stream out of my eyes, I only wish that I had come to the same conclusion he did a long time ago. What he said is true, and it is also the reason why Judaism, Yiddishkeit, will never die. Becuase each loved one, each death, they are sad events, but they also pave the path that we must take in our lives. Zlata always strove to help others at any time, any day. I remember helping her each Shabbat in the kitchen, bringing down plates of salad and chulant, but I couldn't eve understand why I was helping her. Sure, it was respect for elders. Sure, Judaism is all about helping others. But why was I REALLY helping. Only now do I realize that I was helping her because I wanted to BE her. I wanted to mirror her actions, because in her was a holy soul, on a level that people can aspire to all their lives and not reach, yet this woman had it. Whatever it was the made Moshe holy, she had it. What Sarah had, she had. What Rebecca had, she had. What Leah had, she had. She had life in her, and she was radiant in her passion for serving Hashem in any way. But she was taken away. For what reason, only Hashem knows. But what I beliebe Hashem said to me on Yom Kippur was- Zlata isn't here. She did great things. Who's going to do great things now? YOU ARE! Finally, Nachamu, Nachamu Ami! Be comforted, be comforted, My people! As Rabbi Sender said- You want comfort- BE THE COMFORT! Go out and do something. Do something Zlata would have done. Give tzedakah to a poor person instead of just walking by. Go to that mincha and help make a minyan. Do a mitzvah! In doing what Zlata did her whole life, you keep her alive.